PROGRAMMES

Key development systems

The EDP works to achieve a better quality of life for all through sustainable development. Our team enhances the capabilities of civil society and government to engage in collaborative and adaptive governance within specific key development systems. These key systems -reflected in the EDP’s programmes - abound in opportunities to partner and have a high payoff of collaboration.

Energy & Climate

Partnering for energy security, sustainability and equity

Water Resilience

Building water resilience to strengthen water security

Built Environment

Collaboration for inclusive infrastructure delivery

Local Economic Development

Partnering for inclusive economic growth and employment

Wellbeing & Safety

Enhancing safety boosts economic growth and promotes community well-being.

EDP PROGRAMMES

Local Economic Development

South Africa’s economic challenges cannot be solved by one sector alone, and creating economic opportunities relies on many factors. The EDP influences key systems that contribute to a thriving economy and job creation. This includes coordinating partnerships across the three spheres of government to drive skills development, social employment, support SMMEs, and enhance capacity in informal economies.

Examples of our work:
Promoting sustainable development in the Garden Route

The EDP supports the Garden Route Development Partnership to strengthen collaboration between municipalities, business, and civil society in a complex two-tier government system. Building on the Garden Route Growth and Development Strategy, the project develops capabilities, fosters partnerships and pilots cross-boundary resource-sharing to deliver collective impact at a regional scale.

Convening the Social Employment Network to support learning

The Social Employment Network brings together almost 40 Strategic Implementing Partners in a national community of practice to share learning and strengthen the governance of the Social Employment Fund. Managed by the IDC, the Fund has created over 100,000 community-benefiting jobs in healthcare, education, food security, arts and more across South Africa.

Partnering across Cape Town industry for economic growth

The City of Cape Town’s Growth Coalitions strengthen public–private partnerships to drive economic development. The EDP pilots the Food & Beverage Sector Growth Coalition, promoting skills development, job creation, and sector growth, while supporting inclusive economic opportunities and unlocking breakout growth in Cape Town’s food and beverage industry.

Growth For Jobs Township Action Plan

The Growth for Jobs Township Action Plan co-develops and implements clear, community-led economic action plans in two townships. Working with municipalities, NPOs and businesses, each plan prioritises locally-driven initiatives with defined activities, timelines and responsibilities that create tangible economic opportunities and measurable community benefits. Learning from the Towns Action Network funded by the Embassy of Finland’s Fund for Local Cooperation informs this project.

Working together for collective impact. The EDP team specialises  in engaging stakeholders affected by a variety of local economic development issues. Credit: EDP. 

Tools of the trade: the EDP uses various tools to unlock action items for collective impact. Credit: EDP.  

Stakeholders engage as part of the Three Learning Journeys food system mapping project. Credit: EDP.  

The Towns Action Network supported the hosting of the Changemakers Festival in Genadendal. Credit: Barry Christensen.  

Alderman Vos speaks at a meeting convened for the Food and Beverage Growth Coalition, which aims to unlock investment potential within the City of Cape Town. Credit:  

Changemakers committed to the rejuvenation of small towns in South Africa celebrate their potential at the Changemakers Festival in Genadendal. Credit: Barry Christensen.  

Innovative solutions to shared problems, the EDP is supporting the exploration of how the work of SMMEs can be integrated into Urban Waste Management at a local level. Credit: EDP.  

Alderman Vos speaks at a meeting convened for the Food and Beverage Growth Coalition, which aims to unlock investment potential within the City of Cape Town. Credit:

The Social Employment Network provides learning and support opportunities to Strategic Implementing Partners of the Social Employment Fund. Credit: EDP. 

The Strategic Implementing Partners are united by their collective objective of ‘working for the common good’: creating sustainable opportunities for youth employment in South Africa. Credit: EDP. 

Insights from this programme